Winter Wonderland - Samuari Tours Brochure 2019

Winter Wonderland

15 Days / 14 Nights

   Winter Wonderland

Tour Overview
The weather outside may be frightful, but touring Japan in winter is delightful. After you see how beautiful Japan is
blanketed in snow, you’ll be saying “Let is snow, let it snow, let it snow.”

   Destinations
   Tokyo, Lake Akan, Akan Crane Center, Kushiro, Abashiri, Sapporo, Nagano, Jigoku-dani Snow Monkey Park,
   Takayama, Shirakawgo, Kanazawa, Kyoto

   Tour Factors

              Cultural Immersion                          Pace                             Physical Activity

Tour Details

When you add the unique opportunities that only Japan winters offer with the small crowds, the result is an
unforgettable travel experience. In the best that Japanese winters have to offer, you’ll wander through the ice
sculptures at the world-famous Sapporo Snow Festival, feast on all-you-can-eat grilled lamb and beer at the Sapporo
Beer Garden, slash through the ice flows in a ice-breaker boat in the infamous prison town of Abashiri, contemplate
the nearly-extinct, Japanese Red-Crested cranes, revered in Japanese culture, visit with the “snow monkeys” while
they rest in thermally-heated mineral water to stay warm, explore quaint Takayama, visit the UNESCO World Heritage
Site of Shirakawa-go with its many snow-covered, thatched-roof gassho-zukuri (praying hand) homes, stroll one of
the best gardens in Japan made even better covered with snow, enjoy a private “Maiko” dinner party, enjoy four
gourmet Kaiseki-style dinners and grilled lamb dinner, and much, much more.

                                                         Sapporo Snow Festival
                                                         Akan Crane Center
Tour Highlights
                                                         Jigokui-dani Snow Monkey Park
                                                         "Meet a Maiko" Session (a Maiko is a Geisha-in-training)
                                                         Abashiri Ice Flow Cruise
                                                         Grilled Lamb Dinner at the Sapporo Beer Garden
                                                         Three “Kaiseki” style dinners including Crab Kaiseki
                                                         Dinner in Abashiri
                                                         Two separate rides on a Shinkansen (bullet train)

Tour Inclusions
                                                         Travel Guard Gold Policy (for American tour members
/Click Here to View the Tour Inclusion/Exclusion
                                                         only)
Details
                                                         Domestic airfare from Tokyo to Kushiro and from Sapporo
                                                         to Tokyo
                                                         Reserved seat tickets on inter-city travel
                                                         Meeting service at the arrival airport
                                                         Sending service to the appropriate train station
                                                         Baggage transfer from city to city
                                                         Electronic version of Tour Handbook and Japanese History

Tour Exclusions
                                                   International airfare is NOT included.
/Click Here to View the Tour Inclusion/Exclusion
                                                   A printed itinerary is not included
Details
                                                   Alcoholic beverages, soft drinks and desserts are NOT
                                                   included

Map

Tour Destinations

Tokyo
Lake Akan
Akan Crane Center
Abashiri
Sapporo
Nagano
Jigoku-dani Snow Monkey Park
Takayama
Shirakawago
Kanazawa
Kyoto

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive in Tokyo

After clearing customs and immigration (which can take up to an hour and a half due to increased tourism to Japan),
you will be met at Tokyo’s Narita Airport by a Samurai Tours guide. The guide will then help you board the bus to the
hotel. After checking in, the evening is free. No meals included.

Travel: 1-1/2 Hours; Walking: Light

Day 2 Fly to Kushiro; Travel to Lake Akan

Before leaving in the morning, you will need to prepare your luggage to be transferred to Abashiri. You will be
traveling to Hokkaido with your overnight bag only. Prepare your overnight bag for 3 days and 2 nights. After
breakfast, you will start the day with a Welcome/Orientation meeting. We will then be taking a bus to Haneda Airport,
and then fly to Kushiro Airport, located in southeastern Hokkaido. We will then travel to nearby Lake Akan where we
will be staying that evening. Breakfast at the hotel and dinner at the hotel included.

Travel: 4 Hours; Walking: Light

Day 3 Travel to Crane Center; Tour Crane Center; Travel to Kushiro

After breakfast, we will travel to the Akan Crane Center. It was once thought the cranes were extinct. However, about
50 years ago, a few cranes were found, and extensive efforts were made to bring them back from the brink of
extinction. While much work remains to be done, the crane population has stabilized and is even growing. In the
afternoon, we will continue on to Kushiro. Breakfast at the hotel and dinner at the hotel or local restaurant included.

Travel: 2 Hours; Walking: Light

Day 4 Travel to Abashiri; Abashiri Ice Flow Cruise

We travel by train with overnight bags only to the city of Abashiri on the northeastern coast of Hokkaido. We will board
an ice-breaker boat, where you can get a close-up view of the ice flow that clogs the Abashiri harbor every winter as
the boat breaks its way through the ice flow. We will then travel to the ryokan where you will retrieve your luggage
before dinner. Breakfast at the ryokan and dinner at a local restaurant or at the ryokan included.

Travel: 4 Hours; Walking: Light

Day 5 Travel to Sapporo; Grilled Lamb Dinner at Sapporo Beer Garden, Sapporo Snow Festival

Before leaving this morning you will prepare your luggage for transfer to Nagano. You will need to prepare an
overnight bag for 3 days and 2 nights. Today we travel by bus to the city of Sapporo, the capital and largest city in
Hokkaido. After checking in, we will have time to enjoy the Sapporo Snow Festival. This world-famous, annual event
was first held in 1950, when six local high school students created snow statues. In 1955, the Japan Self-Defense
Forces from a nearby base joined the fun by creating the first large snow sculpture for which the festival has now
become famous. The festival gained its international fame when the city of Sapporo hosted the 1972 Winter
Olympics. In the evening, we will have dinner at the Sapporo Beer Garden, located next to the original Sapporo Beer
brewery, where you can try the local specialty of grilled lamb, cooked by yourself at the table. Breakfast at the hotel
and dinner at a local restaurant included.

Travel: 6 Hours; Walking: Light

Day 6 Free Day in Sapporo for the Sapporo Snow Festival

The day is free to explore the Snow Festival on your own. You can visit Odori Park or Susukino, the main sites of the
festival. Here, you can enjoy the many, large snow and ice sculptures and the concerts using the sculptures as the
stage. You can also enjoy the bird’s-eye view of the festival from the Sapporo TV Tower, located at one end of the 1.5
kilometer long Odori park. Or visit the family-friendly Sato site, where you will find numerous ice slides as well as a
puzzling snow and ice maze. In the evening, you can enjoy the sculptures which take on a totally different perspective
when they are lit up. Breakfast at the hotel included.

Travel: N/A; Walking: Medium

Day 7 Fly to Tokyo; Travel to Nagano

After breakfast, we will travel to Nagano. We will fly from Sapporo to Tokyo’s Hanada Airport. take a bus to the Tokyo
train station and a shinkansen to the city of Nagano. We will retrieve our luggage after checking into the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel and dinner included.

Travel: 5 Hours; Walking: Light

Day 8 Jigoku-dani Snow Monkey Park

After traveling by bus to the Jigoku-dani (Hell Valley), we will delight in the famous “snow monkeys” of Japan. The
world famous Red-Faced “snow monkeys” are only found in Japan. During the winter, the monkeys enjoy using the
baths to stay warm, just like people. We will return to Nagano after some free time at snow monkey park. Breakfast
and the hotel and dinner at a local restaurant included.

Travel: 2 Hours; Walking: Heavy

Day 9 Travel to Takayama

Before leaving for the day you will prepare your luggage for transfer to Takayama. You will need to pack enough
items for 2 days and 1 night. Today we travel to the city of Takayama by express trains. Takayama, in the middle of
the Japan Alps, with its traditional inns, shops, and sake breweries, has managed to retain its traditional charm. After
checking in, you can stroll around the Sanmachisuji District, an area of merchant homes dating back to the late 16th
century. A kaiseki style dinner will be served at the ryokan. Retrieve your luggage from the ryokan upon arrival.
Breakfast at the ryokan and Kaiseki style dinner are included.

Travel: 4 Hours; Walking: Light

Day 10 Takayama - Miyagawa Morning Market, Jinyamae Morning Market, Takayama Jinya,
Sanmachisuji District, Free afternoon

This morning will be spent at the Farmer’s Market strolling past the vegetable stands and stalls selling herbs, pickles,
and souvenirs. We will be able to sample the numerous options as we go. After that we will tour the Takayama-jinya,
which was the governing office of Takayama and the surrounding area since the early 17th century. The afternoon is
free to roam and explore Takayama. Visit the many temples and shrines, museums, rummage through antique shops,
relax at one of sake breweries, or enjoy the San-machi-suji, an area of merchant homes dating back to the late 16th
century. The evening is free to enjoy one of the many nearby Hida Beef restaurants. Hida Beef is the same thing as
the more famous Kobe Beef. You will retrieve your luggage at the ryokan today. Breakfast is included.

Travel: N/A; Walking: Light

Day 11 Travel to Shirakawago; Shirakawago - Shirakawago Open Air Museum, Observation
Deck, Free time; Travel to Kanazawa

Before leaving for Shirakwa-go, you will need to prepare your luggage for transfer to Kyoto. You will need to prepare
for 3 days and 2 nights. We travel by bus to Shirakawa-go, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A number of “gassho-
zukuri” style homes have been relocated to Shirakawa-go from surrounding locations. “Gassho-zukuri” literally
translates to “praying hands home”, and is a fitting description of these thatched-roof A-frame style homes which are
well-suited for the large amounts of snow this area of Japan receives. We will visit the Shirakawa-go Open Air
Museum, where you will get a glimpse into the hard lives of 18th century Japanese farmers. We will also visit the
observation area where you will have a chance to view Shirakawa-go from above. Later in the afternoon, we will
travel by public bus to the city of Kanazawa. Breakfast at the ryokan and lunch and dinner at a local restaurant
included.

Travel: 2 Hours; Walking: Medium

Day 12 Kanazawa - Kenrokuen Garden, Kanazawa Handicrafts Museum, Nagamachi Samurai
District, Nomura House

We begin the day touring the Kenrokuen Garden. This garden is considered to be one of the three best gardens in
Japan and was initially constructed in the 17th century. After enjoying the garden, we tour the Kanazawa Handicrafts
Museum to learn how the local Kanazawa handicrafts are made. After lunch we will tour the Naga-machi Samurai
District. This area of Kanazawa, located at the foot of Kanazawa Castle, was the residential district for the samurai
serving the castle. The area preserves a historic atmosphere with its remaining samurai residences, earthen walls,
private entrance gates, narrow lanes and water canals. Here, we will also tour the Nomura House. The Nomura family
was a high-ranking retainer for the Maeda family. Breakfast at the hotel and lunch at a local restaurant are included.

Travel: 1/2 Hour; Walking: Heavy

Day 13 Travel to Kyoto; Kyoto - Nijo Castle, Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion)

After breakfast we will travel to the city of Kyoto. For many, just the name of Kyoto conjures up the classic images of
Japan: streets of traditional wooden houses, the click-clack of geta (wooden sandals) on the paving stones, geisha in
a flourish of brightly colored silks, and a tea master deliberately warming water and making tea. Steeped in history
and tradition, Kyoto has in many ways been the cradle of Japanese culture. A stroll through Kyoto today is a walk
through 11 centuries of Japanese history. After lunch we will visit Nijo Castle. Built in 1603, it was the Kyoto home of
Tokugawa Ieayasu, the first Tokugawa Shogun. The ostentatious style of construction was intended as a
demonstration of Ieyasu’s prestige, and to signal the demise of the emperor’s power. The finest artists of the day filled
the castle with delicate transom woodcarvings and paintings by the Kano School on sliding doors. One of the castle’s
most intriguing features is the so-called “nightingale” floors. To protect the Shogun from real or imagined enemies,
these floorboards creak when stepped on. Finally, we will visit Kinkaku-ji. Kinkaku-ji, also known as the Golden
Pavilion, is one of Kyoto’s, as well as Japan’s, most recognizable attractions. The gleaming building covered in gold
leaf seems to float on the aptly named Mirror Pond, especially on a sunny day. Breakfast at the ryokan and lunch at a
local restaurant is included.

Travel: 1 Hours; Walking: Heavy

Day 14 Kyoto - Fushimi Inari Shrine, Higashiyama District, Yasaka Shrine, Gion Geisha District,
Sayonara Dinner

After breakfast, we are off by train to the nearby city of Fushimi, one of the largest sake producing regions of Japan.
Here we will visit the Fushimi Inari shrine. This Shinto Shrine, established in the 8th century, is famous for the long
tunnels of vermilion torii gates straddling a network of trails leading to the top of the heavily forested Mt. Inari. We will
then travel to the Higashiyama District. This area of narrow, cobblestone alleys with its temples, shrines, numerous
shops and restaurants is truly enjoyable and relaxing. We will stop for lunch in the Higashiyama District. We will then
visit the Yasaka Shrine, also known as the Gion Shrine. This shrine, built over 1350 years ago, is one of the most
famous shrines in Kyoto. The shrine’s main hall combines the honden (inner sanctuary) and haiden (offering hall) into
a single building. Next, we will walk to the famous Gion Geisha District. Here, you will see where the Geiko (in Kyoto
they call themselves Geiko, not Geisha) and Maiko live and work. Here, in a teahouse, we will attend a Meet a Maiko
session. (A Maiko is a Geisha in training.) She will perform a short dance, answer any of your questions and pose for
pictures with you. We will enjoy our “Sayonara” dinner at a local restaurant before returning to the hotel. Breakfast at
the ryokan and lunch and dinner at a local Japanese restaurant are included.

Travel: 1 Hour; Walking: Heavy

Day 15 Return Home

It’s time to say “sayonara” (Goodbye). The group will depart at 8:00 am unless we have determined you need to leave
earlier (in which case you will not be provided sending service). You will be escorted to the Kyoto train station, where
you will return on your own to Tokyo’s Narita airport, Tokyo’s Haneda airport or Osaka’s Kansai airport by train. (If you
are flying out of Narita or Haneda Airport, be sure to schedule a flight after 15:00 to allow yourself enough time to
catch your flight.)

Travel: 3 Hours; Walking: Light

Walking level descriptions:
Light – 0 to 2 miles on level ground
Medium – 2 to 4 miles on level ground or 0 to 2 miles on hilly ground
Heavy – 4 to 6 miles on level ground or 2 to 4 miles on hilly ground

Dates & Pricing

                                Price (land only) / Single Supplement
Dates                                                                    Status      Assigned Lodging
                                (All prices are per Person)

 Feb 2, 2020 - Feb 16, 2020                $4,994.00/ $600.00              Closed

Inclusions
Local, licensed, English-speaking, Japanese guides
Travel insurance from Travel Guard, one of the world’s largest travel insurance providers, will be provided to
everyone from the United States. All others will receive a $100 per person credit and will be responsible for obtaining
their own travel insurance in their own home country. (The insurance provided by Samurai Tours will cover the land
portion only. Insurance to cover airfare and other additional expenses is the tour member’s responsibility.)
Exact coverage dependent on state
For residents of the following states please click here for your available plan. CO, FL, IN, KS, MN, MO, MT, NY, and
WA
For all other states and the District of Columbia click here
Travel Insurance Surcharge: Depending on your age at the time the travel insurance is purchased, you may be
subject to the following surcharge for your travel insurance. Travel insurance surcharges will be due at the same time
as your tour deposits. (the surcharge itself is not insured)
Up to 69 – $0
70-74 – $100
75-79 – $200
80-84 – $350
85+ – $550
Travel Insurance Opt-Out: If you would prefer to opt out of the travel insurance, please note this at the time of
registration. You will receive a $100 credit per person, which will be reflected on your invoice. In the event that you
would need to cancel your tour, cancellation penalties may apply. See the Terms and Conditions page for the
Cancellation Fees Schedule.

Meeting service at Tokyo’s Narita Airport or Tokyo’s Haneda Airport and transfer to the hotel near the airport
The meeting service will meet you at the airport and provide you a transfer to the hotel near the airport
Meeting service can only be provided between 6am and 9pm. If you arrive at a time outside of these hours, we will
need to provide alternative directions for you to get to the hotel on your own.

Sending service to the Kyoto train station and transfer to Tokyo’s Narita Airport, Tokyo’s Haneda Airport or Osaka’s
Kansai Airport. (Transfers to Itami Airport are not included)
The sending service will escort you to the Kyoto train station and make sure you board the correct train. The sending
service will not accompany you to the airport.
For those requiring meeting or sending services on other than the scheduled arrival/departure dates, there will be a
$100 fee for the meeting service from the airport into Tokyo or the sending service to the Kyoto train station.
Lodging for 14 nights in Japanese-style ryokans and western-style hotels

Meals
Japanese-style or Western-style breakfast every morning (Please Note: Some ryokans offer Japanese breakfasts
only.)
Four Japanese-style or Western-style lunches
Nine Japanese-style or Western-style dinners

Domestic airfare from Tokyo to Hokkaido and from Hokkaido to Tokyo

The appropriate amount of free time to allow you to explore and discover your own personal Japan.

All transportation costs when traveling with the group. (Transportation costs during scheduled free times are the tour
member’s responsibility.)

Admission fees to the destinations and activities listed in the Tour Highlights column on the right. (Itinerary specifics
subject to change)
Electronic version of itinerary

Sayonara dinner at the end of the tour

Baggage transfer from Tokyo to Abashiri
Baggage transfer from Abashiri to Nagano
Baggage transfer from Nagano to Takayama
Baggage transfer from Takayama to Kyoto

Each tour member receives a tour handbook. This handbook is full of tips and suggestions taken from our Japan
travel experiences that allow you to better plan and prepare for your trip, and therefore enjoy your trip even more. The
tips and suggestions included cover everything from how to save while exchanging money, what to pack, some basic
Japanese-language tips, general etiquette do’s-and-don’ts, ryokan customs, etc.

Exclusions
International Airfare to and from Japan is NOT included
Alcoholic beverages, soft drinks and desserts are NOT included
A printed itinerary is not included

Thank you for downloading this PDF version of our tour. Please visit our website at
           www.samuraitours.com/tours for the most current dates, prices and information.

                                  Contact Samurai Tours
WEBSITE/EMAIL                     JAPAN CONTACT INFO                 MEMBERSHIPS/ASSOCIATIONS
www.samuraitours.com              Call us: 075-361-7303              Better Business Bureau
info@samuraitours.com                                                American Society of Travel Agents
                                  Samurai Tours                      National Tour Association
USA CONTACT INFO                  307 Yodokizu                       Japan National Tourist Organization
Toll-free: 1-866-316-SAMURAI      Fushimi                            JNTO-approved Japan Travel
or 1-866-316-7268                 Kyoto 613-0911 Japan               Specialist
Fax number: 720-210-5423
                                  Kyoto-fu Chijitoroku Ryokogyo 3-
Samurai Tours                     576/
7900 East Union Ave, Suite 1100   Japanese Travel Agency License:
Denver CO 80237                   Kyoto Prefecture #3-576